No. 4 Auburn University’s women’s tennis team achieved two victories in a doubleheader at the Yarbrough Tennis Center on Sunday, defeating Grand Canyon University 6-1 and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) 7-0.
Head coach Jordan Szabo commented on the team’s performance, saying, “I thought it was a good day. We just wanted to get everyone out there and get some matches before SEC play begins. Some of the girls didn’t play as well in the morning as they did later in the day, which I think is a positive. It was a big positive that we were able to get Merna back out there after getting hurt, so for her to get through and play well was exciting. A lot of props to Hanna (Arntsen), our athletic trainer, for getting her healthy and back on track. She’s been the MVP this week.
“We got to fiddle around with the doubles a bit, and it was nice to be back at home after playing the last few matches on the road. Overall, a good day, but still some room to improve.”
In doubles against Grand Canyon, Ashton Bowers and Ekaterina Khairutdinova recorded a 6-2 win at No. 3 position, maintaining their undefeated record for the season at 12-0. DJ Bennett and Ava Esposito then secured the doubles point with a 6-3 victory over Karina Hofbauer and Hams Metwally.
For singles matches against Grand Canyon, Alice Battesti won at No. 6 position (6-2, 6-1), followed by Khairutdinova’s straight-set win (6-0, 6-3). Bennett clinched Auburn’s team victory with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Hofbauer at No. 1 singles court.
During the second match versus MTSU, Angella Okutoyi and Merna Refaat earned a doubles win at No. 1 position (6-3). Battesti and Bowers partnered for the first time in doubles and won their match (6-2).
Esposito led off singles wins by defeating Zora Koenig (6-1, 6-0). Refaat returned from injury for her first singles match since February 2nd and beat Rutuja Chaphalkar (6-0, 6-1), improving her dual-match record this season to 7-0.
Okutoyi clinched Auburn’s team victory with a straight-set win over Lena Peyer on court one. Additional singles victories were recorded by Battesti, Eva Ionescu, and Bowers.
Following these wins, Auburn’s overall record stands at 15 wins and one loss this season; they remain undefeated at home with an 11–0 record. The Tigers will begin Southeastern Conference play next by traveling to face No. 24 Florida on February 21st; competition starts at noon Central Time.
